Glossary of key terms
corpus luteum:
remains of a follicle that releases mature ovum at ovulation; becomes an endocrine gland producing oestrogen and
progesterone
follicle:
storage site of each ovum in the ovary; allows the ovum to grow and develop; produces oestrogen and progesterone
inhibin:
oestrogen-like substance produced by seminiferous tubules during sperm production; acts as a negative feedback stimulus
to decrease release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
interstitial or Leydig cells:
part of the testes that produce testosterone in response to stimulation by luteinising hormone (LH)
menarche:
the onset of the menstrual cycle
menopause:
depletion of the female ova; results in lack of oestrogen and progesterone
menstrual cycle:
cycling of female sex hormones in interaction with the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary feedback systems
menstruation:
expulsion of the uterine lining occurring approximately every 28 to 32 days
oestrogen:
hormone produced by the ovary, placenta and adrenal gland; stimulates development of female characteristics and
prepares the body for pregnancy
ova:
eggs; the female gamete; contain half of the information needed in a human nucleus
ovaries:
female sexual glands that store ova and produce oestrogen and progesterone
ovulation:
release of the ovum from the follicle into the abdomen
progesterone:
hormone produced by the ovary, placenta and adrenal gland; promotes maintenance of pregnancy
puberty:
point at which the hypothalamus starts releasing gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) to stimulate the release of FSH and
LH and begin sexual development
seminiferous tubules:
part of the testes that produce sperm in response to stimulation by FSH
sperm:
male gamete; contains half of the information needed for a human cell nucleus
testes:
male sexual glands that produce sperm and testosterone
testosterone:
male sex hormone; produced by the interstitial or Leydig cells of the testes
uterus:
the womb; site of growth and development of the embryo and fetus
Test your current knowledge of the reproductive system with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Explain the functions of the female ovaries and male testes as part of the reproductive systems.
2.
Outline the control mechanisms involved with the male and female reproductive systems, using this outline to
explain the negative feedback systems involved with each system.
3.
List five effects for each of the sex hormones: oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
4.
Describe the changes that occur to the female body during pregnancy.
5.
Describe the phases of the human sexual response and briefly describe the clinical presentation of each stage.
Introduction to the
reproductive system
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